How to Read the Maxwell Series: The Recommended Narrative Order
The Maxwell series by S.B. Alexander is a contemporary New Adult sports romance saga set in the close-knit town of Ashford. The series revolves around the four Maxwell brothers—Kade, Kelton, Kross, and Kody—and the deep emotional trauma, sports aspirations, and fierce family loyalty that shape their lives. While some of the middle books focus on different brothers and can technically function as standalones, the series features a continuous timeline with recurrent characters. To get the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to follow the narrative and chronological flow of the series.
The central couple of the series is Kade Maxwell and Lacey Robinson. Their love story begins the series, pauses while the other brothers find love, and then resumes in the final two installments. Reading the series in the recommended order ensures you do not spoil character developments or major plot lines.
- Dare to Kiss (2014) – Focuses on Kade and Lacey. This book introduces Lacey Robinson, a high school baseball prodigy coping with severe PTSD after losing her mother and sister. She crosses paths with Kade Maxwell, Ashford's protective resident bad boy, sparking an intense connection that sets the foundation for the entire series.
- Dare to Dream (2015) – Continuing Kade and Lacey's story. This second half of their initial duet picks up with Kade attempting to shield Lacey from dark family secrets and external pressures as she tries to rebuild her life and baseball dreams.
- Dare to Love (2016) – Focuses on Kelton and Lizzie. The focus shifts to Kade's brother Kelton, a local playboy known for keeping his heart guarded. His lifestyle is challenged when he meets Lizzie, prompting him to confront his emotional scars.
- Dare to Dance (2016) – Focuses on Kross and Ruby. This book highlights Kross, a passionate boxer fighting for his dreams in and out of the ring, and his romance with Ruby.
- Dare to Live (2017) – Focuses on Kody and Jessie. The narrative shifts to Kody Maxwell, the family's resident rockstar who is haunted by the tragic loss of a past love and struggling with writer's block. He meets Jessie Ryan, a thrill-seeking nurse facing a genetic health risk, and both must decide whether they are brave enough to let love in.
- Dare to Breathe (2018) – Return to Kade and Lacey. The timeline fast-forwards four years after college. Kade is ready to propose, but Lacey is presented with an opportunity to play professional baseball, forcing the couple to navigate long-distance stress and career pressures.
- Dare to Embrace (2019) – A continuation novella focusing on Kade and Lacey. Now married, Kade and Lacey face a difficult decision during an All-Star break: whether to start the family they promised each other or let Lacey sign a new Triple-A baseball contract.
The Spin-Off: Maxwell Family Saga
After finishing the core series, readers can dive into the Maxwell Family Saga, sometimes referred to as the Maxwell Family Sweet High School Romance Series. This spin-off shifts the spotlight to the next generation—specifically, the eight Maxwell cousins during their high school years. The primary arc within this saga is the Maiken & Quinn Collection, which follows a single romance across four books. They should be read in this exact order:
- My Heart to Touch (2018)
- My Heart to Hold (2019)
- My Heart to Give (2019)
- My Heart to Keep (2020)
Publication Order and Companions
For readers who prefer to read in the exact order the books were released, the publication order matches the narrative order closely, with the addition of a coloring book companion. Below is the release timeline:
- Dare to Kiss (2014)
- Dare to Dream (2015)
- Dare to Kiss - Coloring Book Companion (2016)
- Dare to Love (2016)
- Dare to Dance (2016)
- Dare to Live (2017)
- Dare to Breathe (2018)
- My Heart to Touch (2018)
- My Heart to Hold (2019)
- My Heart to Give (2019)
- Dare to Embrace (2019)
- My Heart to Keep (2020)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Ashford, there are a few important elements to keep in mind. S.B. Alexander, a Navy veteran, infuses her books with high emotional stakes, realistic trauma, and gritty sports details. The core series deals heavily with sensitive themes such as grief, cancer risk, PTSD, and recovery. If you enjoy emotional sports romance with a high level of angst and strong family bonds, this series will resonate with you.
In terms of reading flexibility, Dare to Kiss and Dare to Dream must be read back-to-back as they form a continuous duet. Similarly, Dare to Breathe and Dare to Embrace should not be read without reading the first duet. However, the individual stories of Kelton (Dare to Love), Kross (Dare to Dance), and Kody (Dare to Live) can be enjoyed as standalones, though they are much more rewarding when read in order due to the recurring presence of the family.